starting to jog????

Hi everybody on the running forum!! I never thought in a million years I would be asking this question; I had surgery in Jan lost around 85lbs so far, I am 5ft tall and weigh about 135). I walk everyday about 2 miles and throught about starting to jog!! I had shin spilts years ago and they still brother me walking down hills. Is there anything I would need to know? before I start????Thanks.......SUE

Hi Sue! Congrats on your weightloss. I've run a few marathons and suffer from shin splits. Here are my suggestions (but of course I'm not a doc or pro runner by any means): 1) Get a really good pair of running shoes. This is not a place to skimp. Find a running store in your area and have your shoes fitted. Find out the mileage your shoes should get. Running shoes have a shorter life span than most people expect. 2) stretch your shins before and after. I stand on toes and lift toes alternately 100 times before running. 3) run on soft surfaces. Black top has more give than a concrete sidewalk. Sand is great. Grass (but can be a tripping hazard). Is there a track you can run on? 4) work on your running form. Don't run on the balls of your feet, use your whole foot. You should hear your foot slap when you run. There are several running books out there to help you with that. 5) See if there are running clubs in your area (a fitness/running store is a good place to ask, or check the internet). Having people to run with and give advice is a good, fun way to go with running. Thats my two cents! Good luck on your new endeavor! Rachel

Sue: WOW!! congrats on your weight loss, superb job. so gald to see some posts on the running board. I was a fairly serious runner, and hope to be again one day soon. Running is a great sport to keep in shape and clear the mind. I have had shin splints before and they are very painful. They are usually a sign that you need to change up your routine, good shoes, flexing, soft surfaces are all going to help you but try cross training untill they go away and like all running problems they magically go away, but magically they can return, nagging little buggers. I swear by massage and regular ice rub downs on the area giving me problems. Go to the bookstore and get some running books, there are some that are just for women, there are also a host of running web sites as well as Runners World magazine which happens to cater to new runners. Hope this was helpful, good luck with the running, post soon and let me know how it's going. Be well Patty D

Sue- Just be sure to warm up well before jogging to avoid shin splints. I had terrible shin splints when I first started running, and found that taking tylenol an hour before running helped, as did rubbing in some 'super blue stuff' and icy hot before running. I no longer need the tylenol/icyhot/bluestuff, but I do still get shin splints if I don't warm up by walking for at least 15 minutes prior to running. Tammy